Tidewater Learning Connection: For parents and educators

An initiative of the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater Konikoff Center of Learning, the second annual Tidewater Learning Connection (TLC) brings high quality parenting and educational programming to Tidewater. Workshops and prominent experts in education, child development, and parenting will offer a variety of tools and insight for educators and parents.

“TLC is an event that provides school administrators, teachers, educators, and parents with tools to make them successful in the classroom and in the home,” says Heather Moore, Hebrew Academy of Tidewater head of school.

The event includes world-class speakers and presenters, such as Dr. Wayne Holmes, lecturer at the Institute of Educational Technology at the Open University of the United Kingdom, Julie Morgenstern, author of Time to Parent, and April Johnson, a pediatric occupational therapist, whose topic is Sensory Processing 101.

Holmes has been involved with education and education research for more than 25 years, receiving his PhD in Learning and Technology from the University of Oxford. He is the co-author of the upcoming book, Artificial Intelligence in Education: Promises and Implications for Teaching and Learning.

“Companies such as Facebook, Amazon, and Google are investing millions of dollars developing AI in education (AIED) products, while by 2024 the global AIED market is expected to be worth around £4.5 billion,” Holmes notes in an interview for the Open University.

Holmes’ research is focused on artificial intelligence in education and explores how AI might be used to enhance learning and how to ensure the application of AI is socially responsible.

“Whether students and academics welcome it or not, artificial intelligence is increasingly being deployed in universities around the world, and will significantly impact the future of university education,” says Holmes.

At the event, Holmes’ colleague, Sir Anthony Seldon, will deliver a pre-recorded presentation describing how artificial intelligence will change the education landscape. Seldon is the vice-chancellor of The University of Buckingham and a British historian, educationalist, commentator, and political author.

New York Times bestselling author Julie Morgenstern—who comes to TLC through the Jewish Book Council and the Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival—will share strategies and frameworks from her latest book, Time to Parent, on how to structure and spend true quality time with kids.

“TLC attendees are going to learn a completely different way of viewing time as parents, educators, and caretakers in a way that’s liberating,” says Morgenstern, who will explain how to divide one’s time to be present and focused on each activity, whether it’s related to children, work, or personal growth.

April Johnson, a pediatric occupational therapist who has been helping children and their families in Tidewater since 2002, will address sensory processing in children, a hot topic in child development.

“Sensory Processing is the way in which our bodies interpret the senses in the world around us,” says Johnson. “When someone is having difficulty interpreting sensations, it can make even the simplest of tasks very difficult. It affects the social, emotional, and educational aspects of our lives.”

Johnson’s presentation will show parents and teachers how to find the hidden sensory clues that could contribute to a child’s lack of attention, emotional instability, or learning difficulties.

“I hope to inspire teachers to look at their classrooms with a new lens and to understand that each child has different sensory needs to help them find their optimal level for learning, growing, and socializing,” says Johnson.

This year’s event has been streamlined to make it more accessible to educators, parents, and the entire Hampton Roads community. Tickets are just $10 and the event is one day at one location. A book sale, book signing, and a light breakfast are included. Professional development points will be available.

“Anyone who is interested in education is welcome,” says Patti Seeman, Hebrew Academy of Tidewater development director. “This is an inclusive event for the entire community.”

For more information about the agenda, tickets, sponsorships, and advertising, go to www.tidewaterlearningconnection.org or contact Patti Seeman at pseeman@hebrewacademy.net or 757-424-4327.